Working in the EU

The reason we are on this EU journey is work-related.  We are writing a few different kinds of blog posts since we are trying different things this trip, including one about working!  Next year my company will implement a new reporting system, so I am one of the first testers in module training.  I am very happy to have this opportunity and actually like this kind of thing.  So glad I changed jobs!

The Syngenta headquarters is on the edge of Basel and shares a large complex with Novartis & Ciba.  (Those companies are also in Greensboro.)  The Novartis buildings have cow statues and fun animals, but Syngenta has their (usual) pretty plants.  The cafeteria is good with many options and huge because over 1,000 people work in Basel for Syngenta.  (Below is Novartis Animal Health)

All of the timeswe have traveled around the EU, we have always wanted to see how they work.  We have gathered how they live, get groceries, attend school, etc. but it is hard to really get a feel for the workplace in Europe from a tourist perspective.

During my three days of training, I have learned a lot about the EU working environment.  The Europeans are more laid back about their jobs and very serious about their breaks.  They arrive no earlier than 8:30 and work for roughly 2-3 hours before having a 15-40 minute coffee break with a snack.  Then they work for about 2 more hours and go to a nice lunch.  They eat lunch with co-workers, friends or family near the workplace.  After eating lunch, they work about 3-4 hours with more coffee and take the 5pm work deadline seriously.  Since I am pregnant, I am finding this pace very nice! 

I will say the thing they take the most seriously is their coffee.  They want 2-5 cups per day.  Most offices not only provide regular coffee, but also neo-espresso espressos too.  If you are not drinking coffee, then you are drinking tea. Neo-espresso is a Swiss company nearby, so they not  only have the fancy machines everywhere but have entire stores devoted to this. The stores have entire walls the size of our apartment of k-cup choices and flavors.  Jason, Jason & the Ciszeks would love this—sadly it is wasted on me.

The main annoyance is the European keyboard is different, so it takes effort to type!  For example, the y and z key are in different places. 

All done with training, so we are going for an adventure into our fourth country—Germany.

--Lauren